Speculation: Armchair GM 2024-25 Season, Craig Conroy's Can Do Calgary Flames

[Tkachuk Norris]

I say trade Rasmus now. And Kadri. Keep Weegar because he can play either side.

Ras should get us something juicy (Ritchie or Helenius for example). The playoffs should be looked at as a bonus, not a mandate. This roster still isn’t good enough to compete and abandoning a rebuild this early just puts us back into perpetual mediocrity.

 

[Darth Vladar]

If you’re trading Ras you do it now not as a UFA. What’s another late first and a meh prospect going to do if you move him next deadline

Again fine with keeping him. The odds that all 3 of Parekh/Bru/Mews become impact NHLers is slim to none. Weegar prefers playing the left anyway but is elite on both sides, you need NHL defenders on the roster with where the team is at now

Look at the d-core today and tell yourself that all of Parekh/Bru/Mews are at least two years away and you’re going to need vets to shelter them when they arrive

You can’t always guarantee that the deal will be there even if you do make the guy available. Maybe there’s interest, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it will be something that makes sense for the team. You don’t just make the deal for the sake of making it. You never know what a desperate team might be willing to pay, but the market will ultimately dictate if and when you move him.

The main reason I want to deal Raz is to secure another 1st in the ‘26 draft (which would give us two deadlines to take a crack at moving him) that we could use to improve in other areas, but our D is so thin after he, Weegar, Bahl, and Pachal that I almost wouldn’t want to deal Raz now until they gut and rebuild the entire corps, even though the one year left on his deal could add value in a trade. In any case, it seems like Conny isn’t too keen on the idea of moving him anyway, but if we do intend to keep him then fire everybody into the sun now except those four I mentioned and build from there.

 

[Rubi]

With Andersson, Kadri, and Weegar off the market, I gotta think Conroy has now run out of good chips that will result in an impactful trade.
So who have we got left?

• Huberdeau? Chances are slim to none with that contract.
• Coleman? Great workhorse but realistically worth maybe a 3rd rnd pick?
• Backlund? Great guy but nobody is going to overpay to get him
• Vladar? Will be lucky to get a 5th rnd pick for him
• Rooney? A dime a dozen player
• Barrie? Worthless on the trade market

Hello mediocrity. I've missed you over these past few months.
Maybe I should change my avatar back to the burning plane crash? Sigh. These past few months I've had such high hopes. I shoulda known better. Never change Flames... never change. Squeeking into the playoffs with a first round exit will always trump a top 5 draft pick.

 

[Darth Vladar]

With Andersson, Kadri, and Weegar off the market, I gotta think Conroy has now run out of good chips that will result in an impactful trade.
So who have we got left?

• Huberdeau? Chances are slim to none with that contract.
• Coleman? Great workhorse but realistically worth maybe a 3rd rnd pick?
• Backlund? Great guy but nobody is going to overpay to get him
• Vladar? Will be lucky to get a 5th rnd pick for him
• Rooney? A dime a dozen player
• Barrie? Worthless on the trade market

Hello mediocrity. I've missed you over these past few months.
Maybe I should change my avatar back to the burning plane crash? Sigh. These past few months I've had such high hopes. I shoulda known better. Never change Flames... never change. Squeeking into the playoffs with a first round exit will always trump a top 5 draft pick.

 

[Sparky93]

The teams over achieving, mostly off the back of Wolf. Backs and Kadri are poised to fall off a cliff, as our two top centers. The bottom out will come naturally, soon enough.
No need to move Ras this year. He's a quality defender, but quite honestly teams will be looking to add him to a defensive core, that already has better. There is a limit to the return, and I don't think it's much better than a mid-late 1st, with some degree of middling prospect. Usually accompanied by a cap dump, with years remaining on the contract. Waiting for him to be a rental won't significantly effect his value.

 

[Rubi]

View attachment 971432

Spot on. When I was writing my post that exact song was running through my head. Its like you read my mind.

 

[Anglesmith]

Well thats it folks. Its official. The rebuild has now become a retool.

I don't think that conclusion follows. I think the complete jettison of all pending free agents combined with signing no one in free agency qualifies this process as a rebuild.

While liquidating guys who you are about to lose anyway is objectively the right idea, there isn't a great deal of precedent for successful rebuilds involving moving out guys with term. We will have to see how things go from Chicago from here, because they very aggressively got rid of guys like that.

Kadri, Weegar and Andersson are not the core players in our next contender. They are excellent pieces to support that new core. For that reason I still see this as a rebuild: Conroy has created the conditions for youth to emerge and form the next core.

 

[Mobiandi]

Kadri not for sale is insanity tbh

 

[herashak]

Kadri is the equivalent of a 2009 corolla with 280k kms and regular oil changes, run her into the ground, especially in this economy

 

[Lunatik]

Kadri not for sale is insanity tbh

No it isn't.

Trading top players with term when we're fighting for a playoff spot would be a slap in the face to the players in the room, especially the young guys that have us in this position.

 

[MrCreamm]

I just don't see us ever winning a cup with this approach, I know you can't instantly turn it around or just sell off everyone for draft picks and prospects, but post Treliving is the opportunity to start a rebuild. How are we going to become legit cup contenders without an elite offense or #1 defenseman?

Wolf is definitely a positive and will be huge going forward but is it worth making a push for playoffs? I just see another first round exit to add to the list if we do make the playoffs and for what?

If we don't reach bottom 10 and MTL will take our draft pick or whatever is higher. 2026 is a very top heavy draft with 4-6 guys with elite potential imo, Schaefer looks like a franchise defenseman. Next year seems fairly stacked and has McKenna who is putting up unreal numbers and looks like a gamechanger, 2027 has Dupont who will probably have a ceiling that could make him the perennial #1 defender.

I genuinely believe this is the chance to break the cycle of constant retooling, no elite C, and no deep playoff runs. Sure we do have some pieces that are good but we don't have any cornerstone players to build around. I don't know if anyone not named Parekh has a decent chance to become elite, Zary would be my dark horse guy who could keep growing each year like Konecny but Zarys not a C in the NHL.

 

[Lunatik]

I just don't see us ever winning a cup with this approach, I know you can't instantly turn it around or just sell off everyone for draft picks and prospects, but post Treliving is the opportunity to start a rebuild. How are we going to become legit cup contenders without an elite offense or #1 defenseman?

Wolf is definitely a positive and will be huge going forward but is it worth making a push for playoffs? I just see another first round exit to add to the list if we do make the playoffs and for what?

If we don't reach bottom 10 and MTL will take our draft pick or whatever is higher. 2026 is a very top heavy draft with 4-6 guys with elite potential imo, Schaefer looks like a franchise defenseman. Next year seems fairly stacked and has McKenna who is putting up unreal numbers and looks like a gamechanger, 2027 has Dupont who will probably have a ceiling that could make him the perennial #1 defender.

I genuinely believe this is the chance to break the cycle of constant retooling, no elite C, and no deep playoff runs. Sure we do have some pieces that are good but we don't have any cornerstone players to build around. I don't know if anyone not named Parekh has a decent chance to become elite, Zary would be my dark horse guy who could keep growing each year like Konecny but Zarys not a C in the NHL.

Wolf says we won't get a top pick.
And playoff experience for guys is a positive. Guys like Wolf, Zary, Coronato, Bahl, Farabee and Frost would benefit from some playoff experience.

 

[Yepthatsme]

With Andersson, Kadri, and Weegar off the market, I gotta think Conroy has now run out of good chips that will result in an impactful trade.
So who have we got left?

• Huberdeau? Chances are slim to none with that contract.
• Coleman? Great workhorse but realistically worth maybe a 3rd rnd pick?
• Backlund? Great guy but nobody is going to overpay to get him
• Vladar? Will be lucky to get a 5th rnd pick for him
• Rooney? A dime a dozen player
• Barrie? Worthless on the trade market

Hello mediocrity. I've missed you over these past few months.
Maybe I should change my avatar back to the burning plane crash? Sigh. These past few months I've had such high hopes. I shoulda known better. Never change Flames... never change. Squeeking into the playoffs with a first round exit will always trump a top 5 draft pick.

Fun fact, after today Calgary now owns a >50 xGF% in all situations, meaning we already are an average team goaltending removed. That was before adding Frost and Farabee, who look like they could be impact players. Our goalie who is one of the team MVPs is a rookie, who looks to have perennial Vezina potential with so much runway for development. We have practically a full functioning D-core of 25 and under defenseman coming up in:

Bahl-Parekh
Kuznetsov-Brzustewicz
Morin-Mews

Coronato looks like he could be a year in year out 30 goal guy. Zary still has lots of room to grow. We have a litany of offense orientated forward prospects in Honzek, Gridin, Basha, Misa, Battaglia, Suniev, Stromgren. 4 1sts over the next two years to continue adding. We are going into 2025-26 with 58 million of 95 million cap ceiling spoken for.

These posts being sad about maybe making the playoffs are almost just borderline misinformed. Our healthy roster has 6 of our 12 forwards 25 and under, 2 of our 6 defense (with a huge youth movement coming), and our starting goalie.

 

[Zirakzigil]

Well thats it folks. Its official. The rebuild has now become a retool.

It was never a burn it to the ground rebuild. I dont get why people keep getting shocked over this fact. Conroy has stated time and time again that he was trading out players who didnt want to be here and getting younger. Hes done exactly that. The Frost/Farabee trade was exactly what the plan was and expect more of the same. If Ras doesnt want to sign an extension he will be moved this summer. Kadri doesnt hold trade value to make it worth moving him. Look at what Miller just brought back for example.

I think the Flames bring in a cap dump defenseman to shore up the blueline. Someone whos a serviceable bottom 3 guy thats a luxury on a cap team that they can no longer afford. I wonder how much Conroy wishes he had a mulligan for waiving Cole Schwindt. Hes exactly what they need on the 4th line right now.

Also, all things equal I am not sure I would take Rantanen over Marner. I dont think Marner goes back to Toronto and hes a year younger. Either one would be a huge boost to the Flames offense though. Rantanen burying passes from Hube would be glorious.

 

[Tkachuk Norris]

Fun fact, after today Calgary now owns a >50 xGF% in all situations, meaning we already are an average team goaltending removed. That was before adding Frost and Farabee, who look like they could be impact players. Our goalie who is one of the team MVPs is a rookie, who looks to have perennial Vezina potential with so much runway for development. We have practically a full functioning D-core of 25 and under defenseman coming up in:

Bahl-Parekh
Kuznetsov-Brzustewicz
Morin-Mews

Coronato looks like he could be a year in year out 30 goal guy. Zary still has lots of room to grow. We have a litany of offense orientated forward prospects in Honzek, Gridin, Basha, Misa, Battaglia, Suniev, Stromgren. 4 1sts over the next two years to continue adding. We are going into 2025-26 with 58 million of 95 million cap ceiling spoken for.

These posts being sad about maybe making the playoffs are almost just borderline misinformed. Our healthy roster has 6 of our 12 forwards 25 and under, 2 of our 6 defense (with a huge youth movement coming), and our starting goalie.

Expected goals is not goals though. This team lacks finish and high end offensive skill. They will have to get more chances than most teams to score.

They still need an elite scorer or two to be truly competitive. Or else this team is trending towards the early 2004 version. An okay team with a great goalie.

 

[Lunatik]

It was never a burn it to the ground rebuild. I dont get why people keep getting shocked over this fact. Conroy has stated time and time again that he was trading out players who didnt want to be here and getting younger. Hes done exactly that. The Frost/Farabee trade was exactly what the plan was and expect more of the same. If Ras doesnt want to sign an extension he will be moved this summer. Kadri doesnt hold trade value to make it worth moving him. Look at what Miller just brought back for example.

I think the Flames bring in a cap dump defenseman to shore up the blueline. Someone whos a serviceable bottom 3 guy thats a luxury on a cap team that they can no longer afford. I wonder how much Conroy wishes he had a mulligan for waiving Cole Schwindt. Hes exactly what they need on the 4th line right now.

Also, all things equal I am not sure I would take Rantanen over Marner. I dont think Marner goes back to Toronto and hes a year younger. Either one would be a huge boost to the Flames offense though. Rantanen burying passes from Hube would be glorious.

Do you think Graves is salvageable? And do you think Grzelcyk will be moved? If so, what do you think their values would be via trade?

 

[Zirakzigil]

Fanbase is torn on Grzelcyk. Hes played great and at times been the Pens best defenseman. Hes also the #1 PPQB and made the unit actually work. Shocking considering Karlsson and Letang are there. Some want him extended and some want to see him traded. I dont think his value is high enough to trade. Hes probably a 3rd round type value, doesnt have the name recognition to get more.

Graves needs a mobile partner to be effective. Hes much like Gudbranson in that way. Never gelled with Letang, that pairing was an absolute tire fire. I think he could be salvageable, but if hes not played to his strengths he will get exposed badly.

 

[Lunatik]

Fanbase is torn on Grzelcyk. Hes played great and at times been the Pens best defenseman. Hes also the #1 PPQB and made the unit actually work. Shocking considering Karlsson and Letang are there. Some want him extended and some want to see him traded. I dont think his value is high enough to trade. Hes probably a 3rd round type value, doesnt have the name recognition to get more.

Graves needs a mobile partner to be effective. Hes much like Gudbranson in that way. Never gelled with Letang, that pairing was an absolute tire fire. I think he could be salvageable, but if hes not played to his strengths he will get exposed badly.

Think Graves would fit well with either Weegar or Andersson?

 

[Zirakzigil]

Think Graves would fit well with either Weegar or Andersson?

I wouldnt break up Bahl/Ras for any reason. That has been one of the most solid pairings in the NHL. My worry with Graves is that if he doesnt work out with Weegar, him and Pachal will be a disaster. I guess you could do a Miro for Graves swap, something the Pens would probably do and if he doesnt work with Weegs, leave him as the 7th guy. I really wonder if Hanley doesnt get reupped by Conroy. Guy has been everything you want for a depth defenseman and has not looked out of place playing in the line up.

I think Graves and Weegs would either be great or a disaster. I dont see any middle ground with them. Thats just the way Graves is. If they dont mess that pairing will be underwater the entire time they are on the ice.

 

[Rubi]

It was never a burn it to the ground rebuild. I dont get why people keep getting shocked over this fact. Conroy has stated time and time again that he was trading out players who didnt want to be here and getting younger. Hes done exactly that. The Frost/Farabee trade was exactly what the plan was and expect more of the same. If Ras doesnt want to sign an extension he will be moved this summer. Kadri doesnt hold trade value to make it worth moving him. Look at what Miller just brought back for example.

I think the Flames bring in a cap dump defenseman to shore up the blueline. Someone whos a serviceable bottom 3 guy thats a luxury on a cap team that they can no longer afford. I wonder how much Conroy wishes he had a mulligan for waiving Cole Schwindt. Hes exactly what they need on the 4th line right now.

Also, all things equal I am not sure I would take Rantanen over Marner. I dont think Marner goes back to Toronto and hes a year younger. Either one would be a huge boost to the Flames offense though. Rantanen burying passes from Hube would be glorious.

Right now, i fully expect Andersson to resign with Calgary. I think that's a mistake. He's 28 now and when his new and expensive retirement contract comes into effect he will be 30. Better to trade him now for a first round pick and prospect than hang on to him chasing a playoff pipe dream where, if we do get there, we'll likely get knocked out in the first round because of our anemic offense.
I don't expect Conroy to completely gut the team but I was expecting him to do the right thing and trade an extremely valuable top 4 RHD with another year left on his contract... instead of hanging on to him to chase a playoff spot. I mean, if people think this team is going to go anywhere in the playoffs... you're dreaming. We've been down this road too many times before. Its time for an honest rebuild.

 

[Zirakzigil]

Right now, i fully expect Andersson to resign with Calgary. I think that's a mistake. He's 28 now and when his new and expensive retirement contract comes into effect he will be 30. Better to trade him now for a first round pick and prospect than hang on to him chasing a playoff pipe dream where, if we do get there, we'll likely get knocked out in the first round because of our anemic offense.
I don't expect Conroy to completely gut the team but I was expecting him to do the right thing and trade an extremely valuable top 4 RHD with another year left on his contract... instead of hanging on to him to chase a playoff spot. I mean, if people think this team is going to go anywhere in the playoffs... you're dreaming. We've been down this road too many times before. Its time for an honest rebuild.

And what is an honest rebuild? This team was never going to draft top 5 without a burn it to the ground one. You would have to get rid of Kadri, Hube, Weegar, Ras, Backs, Coleman and Wolf for that. Then you are hoping you luck into a generational talent. or you just spend years spinning your wheels like Edmonton, Buffalo, Florida, Detroit, etc. Ownership was never going to go for that. The plan was to be competitive by 2027, they are on track for that. This was 3-4 year retool, not a rebuild.

 

[Rubi]

And what is an honest rebuild? This team was never going to draft top 5 without a burn it to the ground one. You would have to get rid of Kadri, Hube, Weegar, Ras, Backs, Coleman and Wolf for that. Then you are hoping you luck into a generational talent. or you just spend years spinning your wheels like Edmonton, Buffalo, Florida, Detroit, etc. Ownership was never going to go for that. The plan was to be competitive by 2027, they are on track for that. This was 3-4 year retool, not a rebuild.

No need to burn it to the ground. Trade Anderson long before now and have Wolf and Vladar split goaltending duties 50/50 and I guarantee the Flames would be, at worst, drafting in the top 10 in 2025 with an excellent shot at getting one of the five or so centers that will be available. Trade Ras now and we may still have a good shot... especially if Woof and Vladar split the remaining 30 games. Nothing wrong with having Wolf play 45 games in his rookie season. Most rookie goalies would love to play that many games.

 

[Lunatik]

No need to burn it to the ground. Trade Anderson long before now and have Wolf and Vladar split goaltending duties 50/50 and I guarantee the Flames would be, at worst, drafting in the top 10 in 2025 with an excellent shot at getting one of the five or so centers that will be available. Trade Ras now and we may still have a good shot... especially if Woof and Vladar split the remaining 30 games. Nothing wrong with having Wolf play 45 games in his rookie season. Most rookie goalies would love to play that many games.

Your suggestions would do nothing but hurt this franchise long term... Hey you guys are playing great so we're gonna trade one of our 2 top 4 defenseman and hey Wolfie, you're playong like a Vezina candidate, we think you should sit so we can lose... that's how you end up like Buffalo and make it so guys are only there for a paycheque and not care.

Just absolutely terrible ideas..

 

[Volica]

I just can't see how Calgary can take the next step without an elite piece up front and much improved defensive depth, especially on the left side.

That can't all be done in free agency, because we'll be in cap hell again. The only reason we're not in cap hell is that we have space... if we were tight, I think everyone would be looking at Shango, Huberdeau and Farabee and being like 'that's 20M for what exactly?'.

Sitting on those two late firsts, I'm curious of Conroy parlays that into something. In what projects to be a bit of a 'meh' draft. Looking at the last pack of NHL ready drafts (2020-2016), generally there's like one player picked in the last 10 picks of the first round that is a bit of a difference maker. Lots of guys that either don't make it or are depth guys.

Have to think he might use those on the floor or at the deadline.

 

[Sparky93]

And what is an honest rebuild? This team was never going to draft top 5 without a burn it to the ground one. You would have to get rid of Kadri, Hube, Weegar, Ras, Backs, Coleman and Wolf for that. Then you are hoping you luck into a generational talent. or you just spend years spinning your wheels like Edmonton, Buffalo, Florida, Detroit, etc. Ownership was never going to go for that. The plan was to be competitive by 2027, they are on track for that. This was 3-4 year retool, not a rebuild.

That's not at all what's happening. It's not a retool, it is actually a slow rolling natural rebuild.

Backlund- 36- 1 year remaining
Kadri- 35- 3 years remaining
Huberdeau- 32- 3 years remaining
Coleman- 34- 2 years remaining
Weegar- 31- 3 years remaining

Outside of Huberdeau and Weegar, the bulk of these guys are going to start to decline, possibly as early as next year. The contracts drop off each year.

Could a couple of these guys be replaced by what we currently have coming up? Yes, but in the top 6, our future talent is sketchy, at best. We're restocking the bottom half of our roster right now and hoping to get luck with a few top half guys along the way. Parekh could be a 1D, Coronato could be a top line RW and Wolf might be a great starter but outside of that, the top tier is lacking. In a couple of years we will be making these top 5 picks but the rebuild is 5 years away from being completed. This year is an anomaly.